Undocumented Immigration in America
Undocumented immigration in America remains a hot-button topic in Mexico and the United States. This documentary film deeply explores why Mexicans migrate to the United States. Aside from the clear reasons of finance, this documentary goes further. Above all, it takes a very personal look at a large Mexican family working in the United States on a dairy farm. Lastly, In the Shadows also studies why undocumented immigration in America still captures headlines in the news. Closed Captioning on Kanopy.com.
Production Notes from the Director, Dan Glynn
-This film about undocumented immigration in America was filmed in six states, Washington, DC and Mexico. I started in San Diego, CA. Click here for more. I went to the border between Mexico and San Diego, where I saw children staring through the western end of the fence between the two countries, ending in the Pacific Ocean. The look on the children’s faces longing to be on the American side of that fence will always remain with me. The United States Border Patrol watched the area above from helicopters. Then, I continued on a drive along the border to El Paso, TX meeting and interviewing activists along the way.
-Filming was done in extreme weather, hitting over 110 degrees in the deserts of Arizona and the Mexican jungle. Next, I was on to a dairy farm in Western NY, where it was well below zero. The majority of the documentary takes place there, where the main participants in the film were living and working. Then, I left for New York City to complete my film about undocumented immigration in America. You may read the full transcript for In the Shadows: transcript here.
-As a self taught film-maker, I studied by reading every filmmaking book I could find and watching most of the documentaries from my local video rental store. I learned to shoot video as I watched and re-shot many movie scenes from Oscar winners for best picture and cinematography made in New York City … READ MORE
…places a human face on the ongoing debate over undocumented workers in the United States. It does shed light on those willing to gamble to improve their lot in life. Recommended for all collections.
Jairo on the farm
Director Dan Glynn on the farm
Director Dan Glynn
Dan Glynn and Charles Bares
Director Dan Glynn with Editor Luis Ortiz Guillen
Chagrin Documentary Film Festival – Award-winning filmmakers
